Women's Rowing | 5/27/2017 7:56:00 PM
WEST WINDSOR, NJ – The nationally ranked No. 8 women's crew team finished fifth overall at the 2017 NCAA Rowing Championships on Mercer Lake in West Windsor, NJ this Saturday. The Tigers capped an outstanding year with a fifth place finish in the varsity eight Grand Final and a win in the varsity eight Petite Final.
After Friday's heats, RIT's second varsity eight returned to the water this morning in the second varsity eight Petite Final against Washington College.
Francesca Scumaci (Fairport, NY/Fairport),
Emma Will (Squantum, MA/Woodward School for Girls),
Emma Kate Flanagan (Saratoga Springs, NY/Saratoga Springs),
Lauren Asselmeyer (Poughquag, NY/Arlington),
Mickyla Schnupp (Fairport, NY/Fairport),
Olivia Sanders (Ashburn, VA/Stone Bridge),
Catherine Evans (Sharon, PA),
Colleen Albert (Burlington, CT/Lewis S. Mills) and
Tiffany Cao (Buffalo, NY/Hutchinson Central Technical) were down at the start, but recovered quickly to take the lead over Washington in the first 500 meters. The Tigers never relinquished the lead, crossing the line in 7:10.010. Washington was second with a time of 7:12.220.
The Tigers' second varsity eight had a strong spring, winning a silver medal at the New York State Collegiate Rowing Championship. Their second place finish at the Liberty League Championship combined with the varsity eight to win RIT's first conference title.
In the varsity eight Grand Final, the Tigers were in lane 6. Williams established the lead off the line, pressed by Bates and Wellesley, with Ithaca, RIT and Wesleyan rounding out the field.
Erin Loughran (Newburgh, NY/Newburgh Free Academy),
Amy Guthrie (Essex Junction, VT/Essex),
Emma Kohler (Manlius, NY/Fayetteville-Manlius),
Taylor Blackwell (Pittsford, NY/Pittsford Sutherland),
Cassandra Killion (New Plymouth, ID/Nampa Christian),
Hayley Richardson (Kennebunk, ME/Kennebunk),
Clarissa Brown (Fairport, NY/Fairport),
Colleen Ryan (Pittsford, NY/Pittsford Sutherland) and
Claire Thomas (Pittsford, NY/Pittsford Sutherland) made a move at the 1,000-meter mark to move through Wesleyan, and then started their sprint early to challenge Ithaca in the final 250 meters. The Tigers closed the gap to almost pull even with Ithaca, but the Bombers would cross the line just 0.958 seconds ahead of RIT. The Tigers stopped the clock at 6:40.072.
Williams took home gold with a time of 6:35.379 in the varsity eight Grand Final while Bates (6:37.652) and Wellesley (6:38.842) rounded out the medal stand. Bates won the national championship over Williams by one team point.
The Tigers' varsity eight enjoyed great success this year, claiming their third consecutive Liberty League Crew of the Year award after collecting gold medals at the conference championship and silver at the New York State Collegiate Rowing Championship. RIT also won the Kate Louise Cup at the Head of the Genesee and earned a fifth place finish in the collegiate eight event at the Head of the Charles Regatta last fall. The Tigers earned nine Liberty League Boat of the Week honors during the 2016-2017 season.
RIT's performance at the national championship caps a tremendous year for the Tigers. Coach
Cassidy Goepel said, "We lined up against the top crews in the country this weekend. It was a real test of who gained the most speed in the last two weeks, and I think we surprised a lot of people. The girls gave everything they had."
